The Ugly Dachshund

Dean Jones' second film for Walt Disney came via this minor but lively family comedy co-starring another Disney regular, the late Suzanne Pleshette (as his wife) – plus veteran comic Charlie Ruggles (appropriately cast as their vet {sic}) and soon-to-be popular Asian actor Mako (as a cowardly caterer). Although the plot sticks strictly to formula, dog lovers should be able to get a satisfactory amount of enjoyment out of this lightweight farce about a Great Dane, who being raised with a litter of dachshunds, creates all manner of chaos when he grows too large for their company and, besides, suffers from identity crisis at the most inopportune moments (namely a competitive dog show). In fact, apart from the likable pair of leads, the film's trump card is the various slapstick sequences that involve the naïve but fiercely protective Great Dane chasing the amiably anarchic dachshunds around the house (especially during an all-important garden party). Apart from the Asian caterers, a regular victim of the Great Dane's harmless ferocity is an overzealous cop who, in the film's most amusing non-canine incident, gives Jones the mother of all tickets.

Although I'm more a fan of the animated Disney classics, I must admit that Disney also used to do very good live-action movies back then. This is not one of them.

"The Ugly Dachshund" is a nice comedy, full of funny moments with 4 Dachshunds and a Great Danes very well named Brutus. It's so funny how those little "sausages" cause all that mess and the clumsy Brutus destroys everything while trying to stop the "little angels" (like Fran calls them).

The destruction of Mark's studio and the party's destruction are some of the funniest destructions ever.

Officer Carmody has got to be the funniest cinema policeman ever. Not even in the "Police Academy" movies the policemen are this funny. This character is wonderfully played by Kelly Thordsen.

Mr. Toyama and Kenji are the most amusing Japanese characters ever, especially when they panic because of the "lion" (that's what they call Brutus and it's hilarious that they say "rion" instead). Both characters are greatly played by the actors Robert Kino and Mako.

I also like very much the performances by Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette and Charles Ruggles.

This is an enjoyable classic to watch, but it is already showing its age. It looks very dated now, especially nearly at the end, during that sequence with the dogs's show.

Fran Garrison (Suzanne Plechette) is one very lucky lady. She is married to successful artist Mark (Dean Jones) and has a lovely home in California. In addition, her prized Dachshund Danke is about to give birth. Therefore, Mark starts the car and drives the expectant dog to the vets. As he breaks several traffic laws, Mr. Garrison is given a huge ticket while Danke is rushed inside. It's triplet little wiener dogs. When Mark finally makes it to the delivery area, he notices a Great Dane mother nursing ten puppies! The good vet is trying to nurse another little pup who has been rejected by her mother. Now Mark, who has tolerated his wife's tastes and wishes to the limit, has always wanted a bigger dog. Therefore, when the vet suggests that Mark take home this runt Dane and get Danke to nurse him, too, he does it. Initially believing Danke has had a fourth pup, it soon becomes clear that this pup, who Mark names Brutus, is another breed. Fran DOES NOT want him in the house but Mark finally insists. Comically, Brutus tries to do what the little wieners do, but he's too big. In addition, the trio, named Chloe, Heidi, and Ludmilla, get Brutus in trouble when they wreck the living room in a stampede but hide before Fran finds the mess. Twice more, when the growing pups destroy Mark's studio and a posh party the couple gives in the backyard, will the Garrisons be able to keep Brutus? A heroic deed Brutus performs helps matters immensely! This enjoyable, classic Disney has wonderful animal performers in four clever, adorable Dachshunds and one darling Great Dane. They make the film something special. But, alas, Plechette's character is just short of a harpy and certainly not a good example of a loving wife while Jones' husband, conversely, is much put upon. A police officer, while funny, seems to gleefully want to give folks ticket after ticket, not a worthy example of a cop, either. Yes, its all done for a laugh but, ultimately, backfires. Maybe kids won't notice but will keep their eyes on the canines. As family entertainment for animal lovers, its pleasures are many.

Based on the novel of the same name by Gladys Bronwyn Stern, The Ugly Dachshund illustrates the predicaments The Garrisons, a married couple, face after the arrival of Brutus, a Great Dane who thinks himself a Dachshund, to their household.

This Walt Disney movie captures in a beautiful way the love for animals as companions, as part of the family, and how they can enrich our lives in different ways. From providing the opportunity to care for them, being the muse for our art, to participating in different activities, animals make our lives better and can offer an important source of happiness. They can also be a reason for headaches, especially when they are babies, and their indomitable personalities render any attempt at peace an exercise in futility. The name Brutus, Latin for 'heavy', suits him well. There are many scenes where the Great Dane, who, no matter his size, is still young, destroys to pieces The Garrisons' house, producing waves after waves of laughter. The shenanigans would often develop as this: Brutus, following what his four "little angels," as Fran uses to call them, Dachshund sisters started, would go from one place to another, crashing everything in his wake and turning the room into the masterpiece of an artist who uses a wrecking ball as their preferred brush. Those moments are an excellent platform for humor that delivers every time. The close-ups of Mark and Fran Garrison after encountering a scene like this contrasted with the cute animals are absolutely hilarious.

Thematically, the film also explores the concept of married life. It examines the positive aspects of being committed to someone you love, but also the difficulties that may arise. The coexistence of these opposite aspects is utilized to depict dynamics that change in the young couple. Norman Tokar's feature raises the question of 'How much one is willing to sacrifice for the other?'. This is not just about a dog but rather a vehicle to expose power structures and how love, ultimately, is not so much about gaining but about losing. In this sense, the chaos the dogs cause to their home could be seen as nothing but the reification of sentiments whose direct enunciation is difficult to enact. A symbol of the crumbling castle of a bygone era.

Like The Incredible Journey (1963) and other movies of those years, The Ugly Dachshund offers the possibility to see real animals act, and they are fantastic at it. There is a charming quality in seeing real dogs interact with each other and with their two-legged friends that CGI doesn't capture, even if it offers the possibility of a greater specter of facial expressions, it is not the same. Besides Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette, who play Mark and Fran Garrison, there are other actors that, even in supporting roles, give performances that score high at comedy. Kelly Thordsen as Officer Carmody, and Charles Ruggles as Dr. J. L. Pruitt are two of the funniest characters in the movie.

The Ugly Dachshund, ultimately, is an entertaining and hilarious movie for the whole family. A movie about a dog with an identity crisis that delivers every minute creating a slapstick altar that is a must watch for all animal lovers.

As an adult, I watch it over and over again! This is indeed one of the cutest movies I've ever seen and not to mention the best. If your child likes dogs, this is a MUST see film. Some films involving animals have some terribly sad tragedy included but this film keeps it light and fun. It still contains a happy ending and you'll giggle all the way through!